Diagnostic Ratios and Positive Matrix Factorization to Identify Potential Sources of PAHS in Sediments of the Rizhao Offshore, China

Abstract

The levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in surface sediment in Rizhao offshore area. The total concentration of 16 PAHs ranged from 76.4– 27512.0 ng/g dw, with a mean concentration of 2622.6 ng/g dw. The concentrations of total PAHs in the study were higher than those of other coastal areas in the world. Two to three rings PAHs were abundant in all the sampling satiation. Diagnostic ratios and Positive matrix factorization (PMF) were applied to identify potential source of PAHs. Combustions and petroleum are the main transport pathways of PAHs in Rizhao coastal surface sediments estimated by the isomer pair ratios. Mixed source (petroleum and engine emission), coal burning, wood/biomass burning, and coke oven emission were the potential sources of PAHs apportioned by PMF, and the contributions were 75.6%, 8.6%, 8.0%, and 7.8%, respectively. The results showed that anthropogenic inputs were the predominant contribution of PAHs, which were consistent with the local fishing and shipping activities and the structure of energy material usage in Rizhao, China.

Key Words:

• diagnostic ratio
• PAHs
• PMF
• Rizhao offshore

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-10-0758).